Systems and methods for on-network device identification

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described for on-network device identification. A user device may make an application programming interface (API) call to an address associated with a network device. The API call may comprise an indication of an address associated with the user device. Based on the API call, the network device may send an indication of the address to a computing device associated with an on-network service. The computing device associated with the on-network service may determine that the user device is authorized to connect to a network or to access an on-network service.

BACKGROUND

A service provider may comprise computing devices, such as servers, in anetwork for providing on-network services. A subscriber of the serviceprovider may use a user device to connect with the network via a networkdevice at a premises. The user device may have an address. A networkdevice may use a mask preventing a service provider computing devicefrom determining the user device address. It may be beneficial for theservice provider computing device to obtain the user device address.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are described for on-network device identification.An example method may comprise causing a user device to make anapplication programming interface (API) call to an address associatedwith a network device. The API call may comprise an indication of anaddress associated with the user device. The example method may comprisereceiving, based on the API call, an indication that the user device isconfigured to communicate with the network device via a local areanetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings show generally, by way of example, but not by wayof limitation, various examples discussed in the present disclosure. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example premises.

FIG. 2 is an example sequence diagram.

FIG. 3 is an example sequence diagram.

FIG. 4 is an example sequence diagram.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an example method.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an example method.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example system environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods are described for on-network device identification.A network device may be located at a premises. The network device maycomprise any device (e.g., a gateway device, a cable modem, a wirelessrouter, etc.) for connecting user devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets,laptops, computing devices, etc.) within the premises with a network,such as the Internet. The network device may comprise instructions(e.g., a program, software, firmware, etc.) for determining an address(e.g., media access control (MAC) address, local internet protocol (IP)address, etc.) for each user device attached to (e.g., connected to, incommunication with, etc.) the network device.

Access to the network via the network device may be provided by acomputing device associated with a service provider. The network maycomprise service provider computing devices, such as servers. Thecomputing devices may provide on-network services to the network deviceand/or the user devices located at the premises and attached to thenetwork device. A web application programming interface (API) mayprovide commands (e.g., calls, actions, etc.) to facilitatecommunication between the computing devices and the network deviceand/or the user devices located at the premises and attached to thenetwork device. The web API may not be able to determine an address(e.g., MAC address, local IP address) for a user device attached to thenetwork device. A user device may make an API call to an IP addressassociated with the network device. The API call may comprise anindication of an address (e.g., MAC address, local IP address)associated with the user device. Based on the API call, the networkdevice may generate a message with an indication that the user deviceassociated with the address in the API call is attached to the networkdevice. The network device may send the generated message to the userdevice and/or to the computing device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram 100 of an example premises 102. The premises102 may comprise a user device 104 and a network device 106. Althoughonly one user device 104 is shown, the premises 102 may comprise morethan one user device 104. Although only one network device 106 is shown,the premises 102 may comprise more than one network device 106.

The user device 104 may comprise a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, awearable computing device, or any other appropriate computing device.The user device 104 may be associated with an account (such as a serviceprovider account). The account may be or may not be associated with thepremises 102. The account may be associated with a subscription toon-network services. The on-network services may comprise digitalcontent services, such as services providing videos, music, books,images, or text. The on-network services may comprise networkconnectivity services, such as services that configure the user device104 to connect to one or more networks. The on-network services maycomprise applications, such as mobile applications or other userapplications. The on-network services may comprise internet of thingsservices, home automation services, security system services, orpremises management services. The on-network services may compriseinterfaces, permissions, or configuration of the user-device enablingcontrol of other devices via the user device 104. The on-networkservices may be associated with or provided by a computing device 110,such as via a network 108. The computing device 110 may be associatedwith a service provider. The computing device 110 may be associated withone or more on-network services. The computing device 110 may beexternal to the premises 102. The user device 104 may not be associatedwith an account or a subscription to on-network services.

The user device 104 may have an associated address (e.g., MAC address,local IP address, etc.). The user device 104 may be in communicationwith the network device 106. The user device 104 and the network device106 may communicate using Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.11, Bluetooth, or any other communication protocolappropriate for communication between two devices local to the premises102.

The network device 106 may comprise a cable modem, a wireless router, agateway device, or any device that provides the premises 102 access tothe network 108, such as the Internet. The network device 106 maycommunicate with other devices, such as a computing device 110 via thenetwork 108. The network device 106 may communicate with the computingdevice 110 using internet protocol (IP) or any other communicationprotocol appropriate for communication between two devices communicatingover the network 108. The network device 106 may facilitatecommunication between the user device 104 and the computing device 110.One or more application programming interfaces (APIs) may be used incommunications between the user device 104, the network device 106, andthe computing device 110.

The computing device 110 may provide the one or more on-network servicesfor one or more user devices 104 attached to the network device 106 atthe premises 102. The computing device 110 may use the addressassociated with the user device 104 to determine that the user device104 is authorized to access or receive the one or more on-networkservices.

The computing device 110 may send a prompt message through the network108 to the network device 106. The network device 106 may forward theprompt message to the user device 104 attached to the network device106. The prompt message may cause the user device 104 to make an APIcall to the network device 106. The API call may comprise an indicationof the address associated with the user device 104. Based on the APIcall, the network device 106 may generate an indication that the userdevice 104 is attached to the network device 106. The indication maycomprise an indication of the address associated with the user device104. The network device 106 may forward the indication of the address tothe computing device 110 and/or to the user device 104. The user device104 may forward the indication of the address to the computing device110 via the network device 106.

Based on the indication of the address associated with the user device104, the computing device 110 may determine that the user device 104 isattached to the network device 106. Based on the indication of theaddress associated with the user device 104, the computing device 110may determine that the user device 104 is associated with a subscriberof the on-network services. Based on the indication of the addressassociated with the user device 104 and/or the indication that the userdevice 104 is attached to the network device 106, the computing device110 may determine that the user device 104 is located at the premises102 associated with a subscriber of the on-network services. Based onthe determination that the user device 104 is attached to the networkdevice 106, the determination that the user device is associated with asubscriber, and/or the determination that the user device is located atthe premises 102, the computing device 110 may determine that the userdevice 104 is authorized to access one or more of the on-networkservices.

It may be determined that the user device 104 is authorized to accessone or more on-network services based on a profile associated with theuser device 104. The profile may indicate one or more on-networkservices or one or more types of on-network services that the userdevice 104 is authorized to access. The profile may be determined by auser, such as of the user device 104 or the network device 104. Forexample, a parent may configure the profile to exclude on-networkservices that are not intended for children. The profile may bedetermined by the service provider. For example, the user device 104 maybe authorized to access content that is included with a subscriptionpackage. The user device 104 may not be authorized to access premiumcontent that is outside the subscription package, unless the userupgrades to a more expansive subscription package. The profile may bedetermined based on the user device 104 making the API call to thenetwork device, such as by the network device 106 or the network 108.

The computing device 110, may provide the user device 104 with theon-network service, such as via the network 108. The computing device110 may provide the user device 104 with the on-network service via thenetwork device 106. For example, the computing device 110 may stream avideo to the network device 106 and the network device 106 may streamthe video to the user device 104.

The computing device 110 may determine to grant a different user devicelocated at a premises associated with the user device 104 access toother devices located at the premises associated with the user device104. The computing device 110 may determine to grant a different userdevice located at a premises associated with the user device 104 accessto other devices located at the premises associated with the user device104 based on the determination that the user device 104 is located atthe premises 102. The other devices may comprise home automationdevices, security system devices, internet of things devices, and/orpremises management devices. For example, based on the determinationthat the user device is located at the premises 102, the computingdevice 110 may determine that the user device 104 is not located at thehome of a user of the user device 104. The user may be traveling and acaretaker may be at the home of the user. The computing device 110 maydetermine to enable a user device of the caretaker to control homeautomation devices at the home of the user.

FIG. 2 shows an example sequence diagram 200. At 202, the computingdevice 110 of FIG. 1 may send a prompt message to the network device 106of FIG. 1. The prompt message may comprise an indication that the userdevice 104 requests communication with the network device 106. Theprompt message may comprise an indication of an address of the userdevice 104. The prompt message may comprise an indication that the userdevice 104 made an API call to the network device 106.

At 204, the network device 106 may forward the prompt message to theuser device 104 of FIG. 1. Based on the prompt message, the user device104 may make an API call to the network device 106 at 206. The API callmay comprise an indication of an address (e.g., MAC address, local IPaddress, etc.) associated with the user device 104. Based on the APIcall, the network device 106 may generate an indication that the userdevice 104 is attached to the network device 106. The indication maycomprise the address associated with the user device 104. The indicationmay comprise a profile associated with the user device 104. The profilemay indicate one or more on-network services or one or more types ofon-network services that the user device 104 is authorized to access.The profile may be determined by a user, such as of the user device 104or the network device 104. The profile may be determined by the serviceprovider. At 208, the network device 106 may send the indication to thecomputing device 110.

A content distribution server (e.g., computing device 110 may send, to agateway device (e.g., network device 106) located a premises (e.g.,premises 102), a first prompt message comprising a request for anindication of user devices in communication with the gateway device.Based on the first prompt message, the gateway device may send a secondprompt message to a laptop computer (e.g., user device 104) incommunication with the gateway device and located at the premises. Basedon the second prompt message, the laptop may make an API call to thegateway device comprising an indication of an IP address of the laptop.Based on the API call, the gateway device may send an indication of theIP address of the laptop to the content distribution server.

Based on the indication of the IP address of the laptop, the contentdistribution server may determine that the laptop is located at thepremises with the gateway device and in communication with the gatewaydevice. Based on the determination that the laptop is located at thepremises with the gateway device and in communication with the gatewaydevice, the content distribution server may determine that the laptop isauthorized to access a content delivery service (e.g., on-networkservices). Based on the determination that the laptop is authorized toaccess the content delivery service, the content distribution server maystream content associated with the content delivery service to thelaptop.

FIG. 3 is an example sequence diagram 300. At 302, the user device 104of FIG. 1 may make an API call to the network device 106 of FIG. 1. Theuser device 104 may make the API call in connecting to the networkdevice 106 or in attempting to access on-network services provided bythe computing device 110. The API call may comprise an indication of anaddress (e.g., MAC address, local IP address, etc.) associated with theuser device 104.

The network device 106 may generate an indication that the user device104 is attached to the network device 106, such as based on the APIcall. The indication may comprise the address associated with the userdevice 104. At 304, the network device 106 may send the indication tothe user device 104. At 306, the user device 104 may make another APIcall to the network device. The user device 104 may make the API call inrequesting access to one or more of the on-network services. At 308, thenetwork device 106 may communicate with the computing device 110, suchas based on the other API call. The network device 106 may send anindication of the address associated with the user device 104 to thecomputing device 110. The network device 106 may send an indication ofthe request by the user device 104 for the on-network service. Thecomputing device 110 may determine that the user device 104 isauthorized to access the on-network service, such as based on theindication sent in 308. The computing device 110 may provide theon-network service.

Additionally or alternatively, a first user may bring a tablet device(e.g., user device 104) to a second user's house (e.g., premises 102).The first user may an input, via the tablet, a selection to connect thetablet to a router (e.g., network device 106) or to a network of therouter. The tablet may make an API call to the router, such as based onthe selection. The API call may comprise an indication of a MAC addressof the tablet. The router may send an indication of the MAC addressand/or an indication that the tablet is connected to the router to thecomputing device 110, such as based on the API call.

FIG. 4 is an example sequence diagram 400. At 402, the user device 104of FIG. 1 may make an API call to the network device 106 of FIG. 1. TheAPI call may comprise a request to connect to a network at the premises102. The API call may comprise an indication of an address (e.g., MACaddress, local IP address, etc.) associated with the user device 104.

At 403, the network device 106 may register the user device 104 with aservice provider. The network device 106 may register the user device104 with a service provider based on the API call. The service providermay be associated with the network, such as a provider of the network ora provider of on-network services via the network. The user device 104may or may not be associated with a subscriber of the service provider.Registering the user device 104 may comprise sending an indication ofthe address of the user device 104 to the computing device 110.Registering the user device 104 may comprise sending, to the serviceprovider server, an indication that the user device 104 is connected tothe network device 106.

The computing device 110 may determine that the user device 104 isassociated with a subscriber of the service provider, such as based onthe indication of the address. The computing device 110 may determinethat the user device 104 is authorized to connect to the network at thepremises 102, such as based on the determination that the user device isassociated with the subscriber.

Based on the indication that the user device is connected to the networkdevice 106, the service provider server may determine that the userdevice 104 is located at the premises 102 where the network device islocated. Based on the determination that the user device 104 is locatedat the premises, the computing device 110 may determine that the userdevice 104 is authorized to connect to the network at the premises 102.The computing device 110 may store an indication of the user device 104,such as the address of the user device 104, in a registry of authorizeddevices.

At 404, the network device 106 may send, to the user device 104, anindication that the user device is authorized to connect to the network.The network device 106 may send the user device 104 and indication thatthe user device 104 is registered as an authorized device with theservice provider. The network device 106 may send the user device 104and indication of a profile associated with the user device 104. Theprofile may be associated with filters, permission, or rules associatedwith on-network services that the user device 104 is authorized toaccess. The profile may be determined by the service provider, thecomputing device 110, the network device 106, or a user of the userdevice 104.

At 405, the user device 104 may send, to the network device 106, arequest to access one or more of the on-network services. The requestmay comprise an indication of the address of the user device 104. At406, the network device 106 may send an indication of the request to thecomputing device 110, such as based on the request. The indication ofthe request may comprise an indication of the address associated withthe user device 104. The indication of the request may comprise anindication of the requested on-network services. The computing device110 may determine that the user device 104 is authorized to access therequested on-network service, such as based on the indication of therequest. Authorizing the user device 104 may comprise determining thatthe registry of authorized devices comprises the indication of the userdevice, such as the address associated with the user device. Authorizingthe user device 104 may be based on the profile associated with the userdevice 104.

At 407, the computing device 110 may provide the on-network service tothe user device 104. The computing device 110 may provide the on-networkservice to the user device 104 based on the determination that the userdevice 104 is authorized to access the requested on-network service.Providing the requested on-network service may comprise storing data orcontent associated with the requested on-network service at a storagelocation available to the user device 104. Providing the requestedon-network service may comprise sending data or content associated withthe requested on-network service to the user device 104 directly or viaanother device. For example, the service provider server 110 may sendthe data or content associated with the requested on-network service tothe network device 106. At step 408, the network device 106 may send thedata or content associated with the requested on-network service to theuser device 104.

FIG. 5 shows an example method 500. At step 510, a user device 104 maybe caused to make an application programming interface (API) call to anaddress associated with a network device 106. The computing device 110of FIG. 1 may cause the user device 104 of FIG. 1 to make an API call toan address associated with the network device 106 of FIG. 1. A user maycause the user device 104 to make the API call, such as by inputting aselection to connect to a network at the premises 102 or by inputting aselection to access one or more on-network services. The addressassociated with the network device 106 may comprise an Internet Protocol(IP) address. The network device 106 may comprise a gateway device or awireless router. The API call may comprise an indication of an addressassociated with the user device 104. The address associated with theuser device 104 may comprise an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Theaddress associated with the user device 104 may comprise a media accesscontrol (MAC) address.

At step 520, an indication that the user device 104 is configured tocommunicate with the network device 106 via a local area network may bereceived based on the API call. The computing device 110 may receive,based on the API call, an indication that the user device 104 isconfigured to communicate with the network device 106 via a local areanetwork at the premises 102. The indication that the user device 104 isconfigured to communicate with the network device 106 via the local areanetwork may be generated based on the address associated with the userdevice 104. The network device 106 may generate the indication that theuser device 104 is configured to communicate with the network device 106via the local area network based on the address associated with the userdevice 104.

At step 530, the user device 104 may be granted access to the network atthe premises 102. The user device 104 may be granted access to anon-network service. The user device 104 may be granted access to thenetwork at the premises 102 and/or to the on-network service based onthe indication that the user device 104 is configured to communicatewith the network device 106 via the local area network. The computingdevice 110 may grant, based on the indication that the user device 104is configured to communicate with the network device 106 via a localarea network, the user device 104 access to an on-network service. Theon-network service may comprise a digital content service, a networkconnectivity service, an application, an interne of things service, ahome automation service, a security system service, or a premisesmanagement service.

Additionally or alternatively, a user may be a subscriber to a serviceprovider. The user may have a mobile phone (e.g., user device 104). Themobile phone may have an IP address. The service provider may associatethe IP address with the mobile phone and/or the subscriber/user. Theuser may go to a home (e.g., premises 102) of another subscriber of theservice provider. The home may comprise a gateway device (e.g., networkdevice 106) configured to connect to a network (e.g., network 108). Themobile phone may connect to the gateway device to access the network.The network may be provided by a computing device associated with aservice provider and/or an on-network service (e.g., computing device110). The computing device may send a prompt to the gateway device. Inresponse, the gateway device may send the prompt to the mobile phone.The prompt may cause the mobile phone to make an API call to an addressassociated with the gateway device. The API call may comprise anindication of the address associated with the mobile phone. Based on theAPI call, the gateway device may generate an indication that the mobilephone is attached to the gateway device. The indication may comprise theaddress associated with the mobile phone. The gateway device may sendthe indication that the mobile phone is attached to the gateway deviceto the computing device. Based on the indication that the mobile phoneis attached to the gateway device and/or the indication of the addressassociated with the mobile phone, the computing device may determinethat the mobile phone associated with the subscriber is at the houseassociated with the other subscriber. Based on the determination thatthe mobile phone associated with the subscriber is at the houseassociated with the other subscriber, the computing device may providethe mobile phone with an on-network service.

FIG. 6 shows an example method 600. At step 610, an applicationprogramming interface (API) call may be received by a network device106, from a user device 104, at an address associated with the networkdevice 106. The address associated with the network device 106 maycomprise an Internet Protocol (IP) address. The network device 106 ofFIG. 1 may receive, from the user device 104 of FIG. 1, an API call atan address associated with the network device 106. The API call maycomprise an indication of an address associated with the user device.The network device 106 may comprise a gateway device or a wirelessrouter. The address associated with the user device 104 may comprise anInternet Protocol (IP) address. The address associated with the userdevice 104 may comprise a media access control (MAC) address.

At step 620, an indication that the user device 104 is configured tocommunicate with the network device 106 may be generated. An indicationthat the user device 104 is configured to communicate with the networkdevice 106 via a local area network may be generated. The indication maybe generated based on the address. For example, the indication may begenerated based on a determination that the address is associated with auser and/or an account authorized to communicate with the network device106, communicate via the local area network, and/or access an on-networkdevice. The indication may be generated based on the API call. Theindication may be generated by the network device 106.

At step 620, the indication that the user device 104 is configured tocommunicate with the network device 106 via the local area network maybe sent based on the API call. The network device 106 may send, based onthe API call, an indication that the user device 104 is configured tocommunicate with the network device 106 via a local area network to theuser device 104 and/or the computing device 110 of FIG. 1. Theindication that the user device 104 is configured to communicate withthe network device 106 via the local area network may be generated basedon the address associated with the user device 104. The network device106 may generate the indication that the user device 104 is configuredto communicate with the network device 106 via the local area networkbased on the address associated with the user device 104.

For example, a subscriber to a service provider may reside at a premises102. The premises 102 may comprise a network device 106 configured toconnect to a network. The network may comprise a computing deviceassociated with a service provider and/or an on-network service. Anothersubscriber of the service provider may come to the premises 102. Theother subscriber may comprise a user device 104. The user device 104 mayhave an address. The service provider may associate the address with theuser device 104 and/or the other subscriber. The user device 104 mayconnect to the network device 106 to access the network. The networkdevice 106 may receive an API call from the user device 104. The APIcall may comprise an indication of the address associated with the userdevice 104. The network device 106 may generate an indication that theuser device 104 is attached to the network device 106. The indicationmay comprise the address associated with the user device 104. Thenetwork device 106 may send the indication to the computing device 110and/or the user device 104. Based on the indication that the user device104 is attached to the network device 106 and/or the indication of theaddress associated with the user device 104, the computing device 110may determine that the user device 104 associated with the subscriber isat the premises 102 associated with the other subscriber. Based on thedetermination that the user device 104 associated with the subscriber isat the premises 102 associated with the other subscriber, the computingdevice 110 may provide the user device 104 with an on-network service.

FIG. 7 shows an example method 700. At step 710, a user device 104 maymake an application programming interface (API) call to an addressassociated with a network device 106. The address associated with thenetwork device 106 may comprise an Internet Protocol (IP) address. Theuser device 104 of FIG. 1 may send an API call to an address associatedwith the network device 106 of FIG. 1. The user device 104 may make theAPI call to connect to a network at a premises 102. The API call maycomprise an indication of an address associated with the user device104. The network device 106 may comprise a gateway device or a wirelessrouter. The address associated with the user device 104 may comprise anInternet Protocol (IP) address. The address associated with the userdevice 104 may comprise a media access control (MAC) address.

At step 720, an indication that the user device 104 is configured tocommunicate with the network device 106 via a local area network may bereceived based on the API call. The user device 104 may receive, basedon the API call, an indication that the user device 104 is configured tocommunicate with the network device 106 via a local area network. Theindication that the user device 104 is configured to communicate withthe network device 106 via the local area network may be generated basedon the address associated with the user device 104. The network device106 may generate the indication that the user device 104 is configuredto communicate with the network device 106 via the local area networkbased on the address associated with the user device 104.

An indication of a profile associated with the user device 104 may bereceived. The profile may indicate one or more on-network services orone or more types of on-network services that the user device 104 isauthorized to access. The profile may be determined by a user, such asof the user device 104 or the network device 104. For example, a parentmay configure the profile to exclude on-network services that are notintended for children. The profile may be determined by the serviceprovider. The user device 104 may be authorized to access content thatis included with a subscription package. The user device 104 may not beauthorized to access premium content that is outside the subscriptionpackage, unless the user upgrades to a more expansive subscriptionpackage. The profile may be determined based on the user device 104making the API call to the network device, such as by the network device106 or the network 108.

At step 730, an indication may be sent to a service provider to enableaccess to an on-network service. The user device 104 may send a requestto the computing device 110 of FIG. 1 to enable access to an on-networkservice. The on-network service may a digital content service, a networkconnectivity service, an application, an internet of things service, ahome automation service, a security system service, or a premisesmanagement service.

For example, a user may be a subscriber of a service provider. The usermay have a user device 104. The user device 104 may have an address. Theservice provider may associate the address with the user device 104and/or the subscriber. The user may go to a premises 102 of anothersubscriber of the service provider. The premises 102 may comprise anetwork device 106 configured to connect to a network. The user device104 may connect to the network device 106 to access the network. Thenetwork may comprise a computing device 110. The user device 104 maymake an API call to the network device 106. The API call may comprise anindication of the address. The network device 106 may generate anindication that the user device 104 is attached to the network device106. The indication may comprise the address associated with the userdevice 104. The network device 106 may send the indication to the userdevice 104. The user device 104 may send the indication to the computingdevice 110 via the network device 106. Based on the indication that theuser device 104 is attached to the network device 106 and/or theindication of the address associated with the user device 104, thecomputing device 110 may determine that the user device 104 associatedwith the subscriber is at the premises 102 associated with the othersubscriber. Based on the determination that the user device 104associated with the subscriber is at the premises 102 associated withthe other subscriber, the computing device 110 may provide the userdevice 104 with an on-network service, such as a content service.

For example, a user of a user device 104 may not be a subscriber of aservice provider. Based on a determination that the user device 104 islocated at a premises 102 associated with a subscriber or is incommunication with a network device 106 associated with a subscriber,the computing device 110 may determine to authorize the user device 104to connect to a network or to access on-network services. The computingdevice 110 may determine to authorize the user device 104 to connect tothe network or access the on-network services while the user device 104is at the premises 102 or connected to the network device 106. Thecomputing device 110 may determine that the user device 104 remains atthe premises by determining that the user device 104 remains incommunication with the network device 106 or by providing the on-networkservices to the user device 104 via the network device 106.

FIG. 8 shows an example method 800. At step 810, a request to connect toa network at a premises 102 may be received from a user device 104. Therequest may comprise an API call, such as to a network device 106. Theuser device 104 and the network device 106 may be located at thepremises 102. The network may comprise a local area network. The requestmay comprise an address (e.g., MAC address, IP address) associated withthe user device 104. The user device may be associated with a subscriberof a service provider. The user device may not be associated with asubscriber of a service provider. For example, the user of a user devicemay not be a subscriber of a service provider, but may be visiting thehouse or business of a subscriber of the service provider.

At step 820, based on the request to connect to the network, the networkdevice 106 may send an indication of the request to a computing device110. The indication may comprise an indication of the address associatedwith the user device 104. Based on the indication, the computing device110 may determine that the user device 104 is located at the premisesand/or that the user device is in communication with the network device106. Based on the determination that the user device 104 is located atthe premises and/or that the user device is in communication with thenetwork device 106, the computing device 110 may store an indication ofthe user device 104 in a registry. The registry may be associated withdevices authorized to connect to the network and/or devices authorizedto access on-network services. The indication of the user device 104 maycomprise an indication of the address associated with the user device104 and/or an indication of a subscriber account associated with theuser device 104.

Based on the address associated with the user device 104, the computingdevice 110 may determine that the user device 104 is associated with asubscriber of a service provider associated with the computing device110. Based on the determination that the user device 104 is associatedwith the subscriber of a service provider associated with the computingdevice 110, the computing device 110 may store the indication of theuser device 104 on the registry. Based on one or more of thedetermination that the user device 104 is located at the premises, thedetermination that the user device is in communication with the networkdevice 106, and/or the determination that that the user device 104 isassociated with a subscriber of a service provider associated with thecomputing device 110, the computing device 110 may enable the userdevice 104 to connect to the network. Enabling the user device 104 toconnect to the network may comprise sending an indication to the networkdevice 106 to connect to the network or to enable the user device 104 toconnect to the network. An indication that the user device 104 isconnected to the network and/or to the network device 106 may be send tothe user device 104, such as by the network device 106.

A profile associated with the user device 104 may be determined. Theprofile may indicate one or more on-network services or one or moretypes of on-network services that the user device 104 is authorized toaccess. The profile may be determined by a user, such as of the userdevice 104 or the network device 104. For example, a parent mayconfigure the profile to exclude on-network services that are notintended for children. The profile may be determined by the serviceprovider. The user device 104 may be authorized to access content thatis included with a subscription package. The user device 104 may not beauthorized to access premium content that is outside the subscriptionpackage, unless the user upgrades to a more expansive subscriptionpackage. An indication of the profile may be stored, such as to theregistry. An indication of the profile may be sent to the user device104, such as by the network device 106 or the computing device 110.

At step 830, a request may be received, from the user device, to accessone or more on-network services. The on-network services may comprisedigital content services, network connectivity services, mobileapplications, internet of things services, home automation services,security system services, or premises management services. The requestmay comprise an indication of the address associated with the userdevice 104. The request may comprise an API call to the network device106.

At step 840, based on the request to access the on-network services, thenetwork device 106 may send an indication of the request to thecomputing device 110. The indication of the request may comprise anindication of the services. The indication of the request may comprisean indication of the address associated with the user device 104.

Based on the indication of the request, the computing device 110 maydetermine whether the user device 104 is authorized to access theon-network services. The computing device 110 may determine that theregistry comprises the indication of the user device 104. Based on thedetermination that the registry comprises the indication of the userdevice 104, the computing device 110 may determine that the user deviceis authorized to access the on-network services. The computing device110 may determine whether the user device 104 is authorize to access therequested on-network services based at least on the profile associatedwith the user device 104. The computing device 110 may determine whetherthe user device 104 is authorize to access the requested on-networkservices based at least on a subscription of a user of the user device104.

At step 850, based on the determination that the user device 104 isauthorized to access the requested on-network services, the requestedon-network services may be provided to the user device 104, such as bythe computing device 110. Providing the requested on-network service maycomprise storing data or content associated with the requestedon-network service at a storage location available to the user device104. Providing the requested on-network service may comprise sendingdata or content associated with the requested on-network service to theuser device 104 directly or via another device. For example, thecomputing device 110 may send the data or content associated with therequested on-network service to the network device 106. At step 408, thenetwork device 106 may send the data or content associated with therequested on-network service to the user device 104.

FIG. 9 shows an example operating environment 900. The example operatingenvironment 900 is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of operating environment architecture.Neither should the operating environment be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents shown in the example operating environment.

The present methods and systems may be operational with numerous othergeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the systems andmethods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, servercomputers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additionalexamples comprise set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, and mainframe computers, distributedcomputing environments that comprise any of the above systems ordevices, and the like.

The processing of the disclosed methods and systems may be performed bysoftware components. The disclosed systems and methods may be describedin the general context of computer-executable instructions, such asprogram modules, being executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performsparticular tasks or implements particular abstract data types. Thedisclosed methods may be practiced in grid-based and distributedcomputing environments where tasks may be performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Additionally or alternatively, the systems and methods disclosed may beimplemented via a general-purpose computing device in the form of acomputing device 901. The components of the computing device 901 maycomprise, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processingunits 903, a system memory 912, and a system bus 913 that couplesvarious system components including the processor 903 to the systemmemory 912. In the case of multiple processing units 903, the system mayutilize parallel computing.

The system bus 913 represents one or more of several possible types ofbus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, sucharchitectures may comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, aVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI),a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association(PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 913, and allbuses specified in this description may be implemented over a wired orwireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including theprocessor 903, a mass storage device 904, an operating system 905,on-network device identification software 906, on-network deviceidentification data 907, a network adapter 908, system memory 912, anInput/output Interface 910, a display adapter 909, a display device 911,and a human machine interface 902, may be contained within one or moreremote computing devices 914 a,b,c at physically separate locations,connected through buses of this form, in effect implementing a fullydistributed system.

The computing device 901 typically comprises a variety of computerreadable media. Example readable media may comprise any available mediathat is accessible by the computing device 901 and may comprise bothvolatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Thesystem memory 912 comprises computer readable media in the form ofvolatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatilememory, such as read only memory (ROM). The system memory 912 typicallycontains data such as on-network device identification data 907 and/orprogram modules such as operating system 905 and on-network deviceidentification software 906 that are immediately accessible to and/orare presently operated on by the processing unit 903.

The computing device 901 may comprise other removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example, FIG. 9shows a mass storage device 904 which may provide non-volatile storageof computer code, computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, and other data for the computing device 901. Forexample and not limitation, a mass storage device 904 may be a harddisk, a removable magnetic disk, a removable optical disk, magneticcassettes or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory cards, CD-ROM,digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, random accessmemories (RAM), read only memories (ROM), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), and the like.

Optionally, any number of program modules may be stored on the massstorage device 904, including by way of example, an operating system 905and on-network device identification software 906. Each of the operatingsystem 905 and on-network device identification software 906 (or somecombination thereof) may comprise elements of the programming and theon-network device identification software 906. On-network deviceidentification data 907 may be stored on the mass storage device 904.On-network device identification data 907 may be stored in any of one ormore databases known in the art. Examples of such databases comprise,DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server, Oracle®, mySQL,PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases may be centralized ordistributed across multiple systems.

The user may enter commands and information into the computing device901 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such input devices maycomprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device (e.g., a“mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile input devicessuch as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like These and otherinput devices may be connected to the processing unit 903 via a humanmachine interface 902 that is coupled to the system bus 913, but may beconnected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallelport, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewire port), aserial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).

A display device 911 may be connected to the system bus 913 via aninterface, such as a display adapter 909. It is contemplated that thecomputing device 901 may have more than one display adapter 909 and thecomputer 901 may have more than one display device 911. For example, adisplay device may comprise a monitor, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),or a projector. In addition to the display device 911, other outputperipheral devices may comprise components such as speakers (not shown)and a printer (not shown) which may be connected to the computing device901 via Input/Output Interface 910. Any step and/or result of themethods may be output in any form to an output device. Such output maycomprise any form of visual representation, including, but not limitedto, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like. Thedisplay 911 and computing device 901 may comprise part of one device, orseparate devices.

The computing device 901 may operate in a networked environment usinglogical connections to one or more remote computing devices 914 a,b,c.By way of example, a remote computing device may comprise a personalcomputer, portable computer, a smart phone, a server, a router, anetwork computer, a peer device or other common network node. Logicalconnections between the computing device 901 and a remote computingdevice 914 a,b,c may be made via a network 915, such as a local areanetwork (LAN) and a general wide area network (WAN). Such networkconnections may be through a network adapter 908. A network adapter 908may be implemented in both wired and wireless environments. Suchnetworking environments are conventional and commonplace in dwellings,offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

For example, application programs and other executable programcomponents such as the operating system 905 are shown herein as discreteblocks, although such programs and components may reside at varioustimes in different storage components of the computing device 901, andmay be executed by the data processor(s) of the computer. Animplementation of on-network device identification software 906 may bestored on or sent across some form of computer readable media. Any ofthe disclosed methods may be performed by computer readable instructionsembodied on computer readable media. Computer readable media maycomprise any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By wayof example and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise“computer storage media” and “communications media.” “Computer storagemedia” comprise volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removablemedia implemented in any methods or technology for storage ofinformation such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Example computer storage media maycomprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which may be used to store thedesired information and which may be accessed by a computer.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: causing, by a computingdevice of a service provider that provides at least one service, a userdevice that is in communication with a network device to send anapplication programming interface (API) call to the network device,wherein the API call comprises a user device address associated with theuser device; determining, based on the user device address, that theuser device is associated with a user authorized to access the at leastone service; and based on the user device being associated with the userauthorized to access the at least one service, granting the user deviceaccess to the at least one service.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe network device comprises a gateway device or a wireless router. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the network device address associatedwith the network device comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the user device address comprises anInternet Protocol (IP) address or a media access control (MAC) address.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the userdevice, a request associated with the at least one service, wherein thesending the prompt is based on the request.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the user device address indicates that the user device isassociated with a subscriber to the at least one service.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the at least one service comprises at least one of ahome automation service, an internet of things (IoT) service, or asecurity system service.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a userassociated with the user device is a subscriber to the at least oneservice.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a user associated with theuser device is not a subscriber to the at least one service.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: generating a profile associatedwith the user device, wherein the profile indicates that the user deviceis authorized to access the at least one service.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one service provides, to the user device,connectivity to a network.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein thecomputing device comprises at least one of a service provider server, acontent provider server, a network-connectivity server, or anapplication server.
 13. A method comprising: receiving, by a networkdevice and from a computing device of a service provider that providesat least one service, a request to cause a user device to send anapplication programming interface (API) call to the network device;receiving, by the network device and from the user device, the API call,wherein the API call comprises a user device address associated with theuser device; sending, to the computing device, the user device address;receiving, from the computing device, notification that the user deviceis authorized to access the at least one service.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the network device comprises a gateway device or awireless router.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdetermining, based on the user device address, that the user device isauthorized to access the at least one service.
 16. The method of claim13, wherein the user device address comprises an Internet Protocol (IP)address.
 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising configuring,using the user device address, the user device to communicate with alocal area network.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the networkdevice is located at a premises and the computing device is external tothe premises.
 19. The method of claim 13, further comprisingdetermining, based on the user device address, that the user device isassociated with a service subscription.
 20. A system comprising: anetwork device configured to: receive, from a computing device of aservice provider that provides at least one service, a request to causea user device to send an application programming interface (API) call tothe network device; receive, from the user device, the API call, whereinthe API call comprises a user device address associated with the userdevice; and send, to the computing device, the user device address; andthe computing device configured to: receive, from the network device,the user device address; based on the user device address beingassociated with the user device, determine that the user device isassociated with a user authorized to access the at least one service;and grant the user device access to the at least one service.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the network device is located at a premises;and wherein the computing device is further configured to determine thatthe user device is configured to communicate with the network devicefurther based on determining that the user device is located at thepremises.
 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the computing device isfurther configured to cause the user device to make the API call. 23.The system of claim 20, wherein the user device address associated withthe user device comprises a media access control (MAC) address.
 24. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the user device and the network device arelocated at a premises and the computing device associated with theon-network service is external to the premises.
 25. The system of claim20, wherein the at least one service comprises at least one of digitalcontent, a mobile application, a network connection, or control ofanother device different from the user device.